‘Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. ‘ Romans 8:1-2
This will be a quick and simple share today. Upon the conclusion of our bible study, my friend and I were discussing hunting, conservation and, in the process, were discussing matching pictures with quotes. I have a tendency to come across quotes I like and attach them to photos from my travels. During this conversation, I shared with him a quote that struck me, some time back. It came from an unlikely source, considering the spiritual connection I attach to it, but its source does not diminish its truth. The quote comes from an episode of the popular western drama “Yellowstone”. This particular scene involves two characters, Jimmy and Lloyd. Jimmy is a messed up, recovering drug addict. Lloyd is the stone cold, well worn, grizzled old hand. They’re wrapping up the day, Jimmy is beat up and worn out. He had a rough day and he’s feeling pretty worthless. After he finishes wallowing in a moment of self pity, Lloyd turns to him with this response, “it’s the shame that hurts the most, you know. That shame, it’s in the mind. You can turn that faucet off whenever you want to…”
Shame is such a wicked and easy tool for satan to use. If he can get you wallowing in self-pity and doubt, filling you with shame, questioning your worth and value to Jesus and others, he will keep you there and build on it. Shame never comes from Jesus. He covered it with His blood. Jesus will shine a light on our shortcomings and offer conviction, but He does so from a place of ultimate love. He does so to help us realize our worth and value to Him and help us recognize what He’d have us do and how. Lloyd is right, you can turn that faucet off whenever you want, because Jesus gives us the Way. Remember that, then suck it up. Have a blessed weekend.
‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ‘ 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
